Final Exam Schedule Posted

Well, today the final exam schedule was posted at the library.

My exam schedule consists of:

Linguistics - Languages of Ghana - Wednesday, May 18th @ 7:30 a.m.
Psychology - Abnormal Psychology - Wednesday, May 11th @ 7:30 a.m.
Geology - Natural Hazards & Disasters - Friday, May 13th @ 7:30 a.m.
Archaeology 406 - Monuments Conservation - Friday, May 13th 3:30 p.m.
Archaeology 404 - Cultural Resource Management - Sunday, May 22nd @ 11:30 a.m.
Twi - Have not gotten this date yet

Seeing the schedule drove home the point that my Study Abroad experience is coming to an end. Glad all the finals will be over by May 22nd and I can get my last fix of Ghana before I leave without worrying about studies.

Kisseman Children's Center

After several false starts I finally got an opportunity to meet the kids at the Kisseman School. The school is not too far from campus. I was assigned to work with the younger kids and what a delight they were. They are like little sponges and are so eager to learn. Children in Ghana are so well behaved it is hard to believe!!!!! Parents don't tolerate misbehaving out of children here and the results are amazing!!! Can't wait to our next session and getting to know these children better.

My Babies

This is the group of kids I tutored. I read books and we talked about what their favorite parts were and some basic words. They are all such eager learners and great listeners.

Beatrice

Beatrice runs the Kisseman school and does such great work with trying to provide the kids with educational resources.

The Older Kids

Talent Show

Shaye invited me to be a judge at a talent show that was put on at the school she has been volunteering at since we've been in Ghana. There were two other judges and myself. The school is is Tema, which is about thirty minutes from Accra. These young people were so beautiful and talented and made me so proud of them. Afterwards, Shaye's boyfriend, Obed, invited us back to his house and I finally got to taste Light Soup. It was delicious. As I sat in the school yard listening to these young people perform, I felt I could actually live in Ghana. It is something very soothing about living here and everyone that I talk to my group is starting to get really sad at the thought of actually leaving.

Opening Prayer

Some children from the local orphanage stopped by to see the show.

The Contestants

The Winners

It was a hard decision because all of the kids were fantastic!!!!

All the kids did such a great job in the talent show!!!!

Young Thespians

The teenagers got together and put on a play. Such talented young people. It was so enjoyable to watch them perform and their parents were all so proud of all the hard work their children put into the talent show.

Ghana Sights

On My Way

To the Soccer match decked out in my Black Stars (the professional soccer team) shirt. Me and my friend jumped into an "unofficial" tro tro. That is where someone just takes their van and starts picking up people. Since he did not have a mate (the person who collects the money), my friend, Martin, was the mate and I was cracking up as people gave him a hard time. We laughed that with all his hard work, he did not even get to ride for free.

Kumasi v. Accra

There was excitement in the air as we approached the stadium and Kumasi scored a goal. It was total bedlam as Kumasi scored two goals back to back and the neighborboods all around the stadium were in a total uproar. My friend said it was a good thing that Accra did not score because it would have been sheer madness.

Unfortunately . . .

The Game was all sold out by the time we reached the stadium.

Finally Found . . .

A neat little coffee house away from campus where I can sit and study and surf the net. The food is fantastic and I love the location at the A & C mall, which is in East Legon not far from the campus. I usually come here twice a week now and hunker down for hours of studying, sipping smoothies and a little people watching. It is alot nicer than the library or the study hall here at the dorm.

A & C Mall

Independence Day

"Ghana our beloved country is free forever! ... The independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of the African continent"
Kwame Nkrumah speaking on day of independence.

March 6, 1957: Ghana is the first of the colonies in sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence. Africa and the rest of the world follows the creation of the new state with high anticipations. The situation in Ghana inspire nationalist movements all over the continent. The economy seems to be good and promising as Ghana is rich with gemstones, forests and crops.

This weekend was a holiday weekend and Monday all schools and most places of employment are closed. There were alot of parties on campus and a big celebration in Independence Square. Hung out with Shaye and Martin after the parade at Labodi Beach and today was one of the best days i've had since I've been here!!!! There were so many people at the beach and it reminded me so much of Jamaica. I had a great meal and then lots of laughter with Shaye, Martin and some other friends. It was so exciting being here for the 54th anniversary of Ghana's independence!!!! Shaye and I wished all the Ghanaians who we encountered today happy independence day and so many seemed to really appreciate our well wishes.

Shaye, David and I

On our way to Independence Day Activities.

Independence Square

Shaye and I

Enjoying the festivities.

Martin